Australia have their "test side for the first test in Australia" thread, so why not have our "squad for Australia" thread. England took 17 players last time, took 18 to India, and I can't see them wanting to reduce their options for the nine FC matches on tour, so we'll say pick 18 names. I've grouped them in batting, keeping, spin and seam sections, with the order just sorted by where they bat or the pecking order in my head.

Bairstow is done IMO, at least if he fails at the Oval. Get Root back to six and have Carberry and Compton have a shoot out for the second opening spot, with the one who loses being the reserve opener. Taylor can be the reserve middle order bat. Panesar hasn't had the greatest season, but he's still a proven test spinner and an able backup for Swann. Seamers are just the six who have been in and around the side this season. Don't really know if it's worth taking anyone else instead of one of those six.

Kerrigan gets the nod because we aren't going to play two spinners, so might as well get him around the squad and see what he is like in a warm up game or two. Onions I don't see being suited to any Aussie pitch, so Overton comes on a scholarship of sorts. He has genuine pace and bounce as well. Bairstow will be on the plane, but I like him more as the backup glove-man with Taylor as the middle order back up. Robson/Compton fight it out for opener.

Think Bairstow is worth his place as he can also fill in as a reserve wicket keeper. Kerrigan is out there but there's not a chance we'll play 2 spinners at any point so he's only out there in case Swann breaks down.

13-08-2013, 08:58 AM

Johann

Compton might get taken as cover but I will be astonished if Carberry gets a callup.

Sam Robson is 25 years old and is topping the run charts in Div 1 - he's got to be a shoo in, surely...

13-08-2013, 08:58 AM

theegyptian

No Bopara in anyone's squad. One is not amused.

13-08-2013, 09:05 AM

Johann

Quote:

Originally Posted by theegyptian

No Bopara in anyone's squad. One is not amused.

I could be persuaded to sub him in for Onions I reckon

13-08-2013, 09:12 AM

Uppercut

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91Jmay

Onions I don't see being suited to any Aussie pitch, so Overton comes on a scholarship of sorts. He has genuine pace and bounce as well. Bairstow will be on the plane, but I like him more as the backup glove-man with Taylor as the middle order back up. Robson/Compton fight it out for opener.

I don't like the idea of going horses-for-courses when picking the squad. Maybe it'd work for particular tests, but it's too much of a generalisation to think Australia=fast bouncy wickets. Conditions in Australia haven't been very predictable this past few years.

13-08-2013, 09:19 AM

marc71178

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johann

Sam Robson is 25 years old and is topping the run charts in Div 1 - he's got to be a shoo in, surely...

Lions at best I'd say - it's not like he's backed it up season after season to warrant such an elevation.

13-08-2013, 09:25 AM

Johann

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc71178

Lions at best I'd say - it's not like he's backed it up season after season to warrant such an elevation.

I think with Oz sniffing around we'll want to get him involved ASAP...

Overton isn't a bad shout either - he's definitely one for the future

Realistically though, I think we'll probably only take 16 players in the main squad

13-08-2013, 09:49 AM

Furball

An Ashes series in Australia is not the time to blood youngsters.

13-08-2013, 10:07 AM

Howe_zat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uppercut

I don't like the idea of going horses-for-courses when picking the squad. Maybe it'd work for particular tests, but it's too much of a generalisation to think Australia=fast bouncy wickets. Conditions in Australia haven't been very predictable this past few years.

Yeah. Bresnan came in partly for the Melbourne pitch last time as well. If Onions can reverse swing he's a good option, especially if Anderson is injured.

I'd leave Finn at home. Sick of seeing him get dropped in the middle of all his series against good opposition. The idea of him as your outright pace option is a myth, he doesn't 't bowl faster than Anderson in Tests. Tremlett is better of you want to bring in a big man as well. I'd sooner take someone like Woakes who represents a change of plan.